Dear MMS Families,

We have officially made it to the halfway point of the school year.  This is a natural time for many to be excited as we head toward summer, but it’s also a good time to stop and take stock of all that has been accomplished so far.  Our students have shown dedication in the classroom, in coming together to improve our school culture and climate, in participating in our clubs and sports opportunities, and in improving our attendance rate.  We are so proud!  It’s also a good time to look ahead at all that is to come – two more sports seasons, the Washington D.C. trip for some of our 8th graders, the 6th grade Meridian Outdoor Ed experience, field day, assemblies, and more, not to mention all the learning left to do!  It’s a good time to be a Trojan!

As we mentioned last week, our mid-year conferences are fast approaching and are now available for you to schedule in Skyward.  We’ve also developed these instructions to help you navigate scheduling if you’re unfamiliar with the process.  We can also help you via phone by calling the MMS office.  We hope to see 100% of our families engage with our staff at conferences in meaningful two-way conversations about how things are going.  We will have report cards, i-Ready data, and attendance reports ready to share!  These conferences will be held February 6, February 7, and February 8, with evening conferences available on the 8th.  Our school will be on an early release schedule those days with student dismissal at 12:20pm.  Lunch will be available for pick up but will not be served at school on early release days.

As always, let us know if you have any questions or concerns!

GO TROJANS!

-Todd Torgeson, Principal
-Robert Kratzig, Assistant Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Monday, January 29

  • Black Day
  • First Day of Second Semester & New Class Schedules Begin

Tuesday, January 30

  • Gold Day

Wednesday, January 31

  • Black Day
  • Video Game Club, 2:45pm in Room 12

Thursday, February 1

  • Gold Day
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 7:30-7:45 in Small Gym
  • Social Justice League Club, 2:45pm in Room 2

Friday, February 2

  • Gold Day
  • 1-hour Late Arrival, School Begins at 9:05am
COUNSELING CORNER
Dear MMS Families,

We’re excited to inform you about an upcoming survey that will be administered to our middle school students on Monday, February 5th. Your child’s voice matters, and we want to ensure they have the best possible experience at school.

This survey focuses on two key areas: School Connection and Academic Support. By participating, your child will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on how connected they feel to the school community and the level of academic support they receive.

Click here for the link to the survey questions so you can see what we’ll be asking.

Please reach out to Brett Muskavage if you wish to opt your child out from taking the survey.

Thank you!

MMS Counselors

 

GENERAL MMS INFORMATION
Mid-Year Conferences

Our mid-year conferences are fast approaching and are now available for you to schedule in Skyward.  We’ve also developed these instructions to help you navigate scheduling if you’re unfamiliar with the process.  We can also help you via phone by calling the MMS office.  We hope to see 100% of our families engage with our staff in this way.  We are ready to have meaningful two-way conversations about how things are going, and will have report cards, i-Ready data, and attendance reports ready to share! These conferences will be held February 6, February 7, and February 8, with evening conferences available on the 8th.  Our school will be on an early release schedule those days with student dismissal at 12:20pm.  Lunch will be available for pick up but will not be served at school.
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Yearbook Photos and 8th Grade Baby Pictures

Families and Students, if you have pictures from sporting events or other school related activities that you would like considered for the yearbook, please follow the instructions below to be considered for the yearbook. Make sure pictures consist of ONLY MMS students (no siblings, family members, or students from other schools).

Calling all 8th graders! Keeping up with tradition, we need baby pictures of 8th graders for the yearbook. Please submit them digitally through yearbookforever.com or bring a physical copy with your students name on the back to the office.

To submit digitally, go to yearbookforever.com and enter Meridian Middle School, Lynden WA (make sure you select the correct one, not Idaho). Select Yearbook Snap and enter the code mms to upload your students baby picture!

All pictures are due no later than March 29th
6th Grade Outdoor Education Candy Bar Sales

Meridian Outdoor Education camp is coming up this spring for all 6th graders. This has been an exciting and valuable part of the middle school curriculum for many years. We will be going to Camp Orkila on Orcas Island Monday May 13th – Wednesday May 15th. The fee for each student to attend camp is $100. This fee will cover their camp tee shirt, use of facilities, transportation, workshops, meals, and lodging. We are pleased the district is committed to this program and committed to keeping costs down for each family by covering the rest of what this trip costs which is a lot more than $100 per student.  We will be providing a fundraiser for families that wish to participate to help cover the cost for their child.  Please read this letter to learn more about the fundraiser opportunity.
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Attendance Tips 

Sometimes it is hard to go to school when you have fallen behind on schoolwork. It feels like you won’t know the new material and you won’t be able to catch up. Your teachers and school staff are here for you! Email your teacher or stop by their classroom to ask for support, and they would be happy to help. We are on your team!
Seeking Career Fair Presenters

Exciting news! Meridian Middle School will be hosting a Career Fair on February 23rd, where students will gain valuable insights into different professions.  To put this on, we need your help! Parents and guardians, your expertise can shape students’ understanding of careers.

Interested? Please email Ashley Hoelzle (ahoelzle@meridian.wednet.edu) and let her know your interest and profession as soon as possible.

To ensure a smooth and successful Career Fair, participants are kindly requested to arrive at 8 am for setup on the day of the event.  The Career Fair itself will take place from 9 am to 12:30 pm.  Participants will be stationed at individual tables, where they will have the opportunity to engage with students and answer questions about their professions.

Thank you for supporting our students’ career exploration. Your involvement will inspire and guide them as they plan their future paths.

Questions? Contact us by emailing Ashley Hoelzle (ahoelzle@meridian.wednet.edu).
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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Family Services Center
The Meridian School District Family Resource Center is open daily from 8:30 to 3:30 in portable 400A on the Irene Reither campus.

Students who qualify for free or reduced meals can stop by to get school supplies or sign up for Operation School Bell which provides new school clothes for students enrolled in Meridian School District. We also have the clothing closet available for any Meridian family looking for gently used adult and kid clothing.

Students who can’t make it in to the family center to get school supplies can pop into the middle school office to get the supplies they need.

Questions?  Contact Alicia Roberts (English) at 360-988-1949 or Elvira Trautman (Spanish) at 360-306-2886.
Weekly Cordata Food Pantry

There is a weekly food pantry for students and families who live in the Cordata area from 2:30-4pm every Friday at Cordata Presbyterian Church (400 Meadowbrook Ct).  Just stop by if your family is in need!